4.3 Wickwar Road and Somerset Close
I. Related to the very local landscape: Wickwar Road (B 4060) runs from the main crossroads junction at The Chipping to the southerly parish boundary where it becomes Station Road in Wickwar. This has a junction with Chase Lane just south of the parish boundary. Wickwar Road represents a winding through route for traffic travelling to the south out of the village. The development has been built over time and on an ad-hoc basis. This has resulted in non uniform design style.
Somerset Close is a cul-de-sac. Detached houses built in the mid 1980’s located between Hillesley Road and Wickwar Road. The access is from Wickwar Road. Some of the houses border onto open fields. Somerset Close was built on a brownfield site which was formerly a haulage yard. The landscape here is such that there is no risk of flooding. There is just one branch off the roadway connecting to Wickwar Road, which ensures that the pleasant cul-de-sac character is evident throughout the development.
56
Somerset Close - Views to fields Somerset Close Houses
Pattern and Shape: Beyond the entrance to Somerset Close on the south-east side of the road and for the whole length of the other side of the road, open fields lie behind properties emphasising the rural nature and character of the area.
Beyond the Kingswood village road sign the settlement continues as Wickwar road runs through agricultural land with just a small number of properties located close to the road. A number of existing farms, or farmhouses and barns converted for residential use, are accessed by driveways on either side of the road. See table of farms in section 1.5
The pattern of property development can be generalised as representing ribbon development along Wickwar Road.
Progressive infill development of properties that took place over most of the 20th century has resulted in no dominating pattern of building style or design.
Vehicular access to the properties in Squaws Lake is from the Wickwar Road and this access continues as a footpath to link pedestrians with Hillesley Road. This footpath is used to access the village hall.
57 The driveway to the Village Hall and Playing Field runs off the north-west side of Wickwar Road.
Beyond the village sign, marking the extent of the built settlement, a high proportion of the farms and converted farmhouses and barns to the south of the village access the public road system via Wickwar Road. These include Trench Farm, Neathwood Farm, Day House Farm, Highwood Farm and Cherryrock Farm. See table of Farms in section 1.5.
For much of its length Wickwar Road provides spectacular views of the sweep of the Cotswold escarpment from Nibley Knoll and Tyndale Monument in the north to Hawkesbury Knoll and the Somerset Monument in the south-south-east.
The road is a prominent feature and is used as a main commuter route linking Kingswood with the towns of Chipping Sodbury and Yate and Junction 18 on the M4 motorway. There is a pavement on both sides but this extends only to the furthest properties of the continuous built settlement. Notably it does not extend around a bend in the road immediately beyond which are the residential properties, “Chimneys” and Trench Farmhouse. The majority of the properties have driveways so vehicles are parked off the road. The road narrows as it gets further into the village and there are more vehicles parked on this stretch of road particularly at the intersection with Hillesley Road.
For virtually the whole length beyond the built settlement, approximately two miles, the road has hedges on both sides. Where light industrial activities are conducted there are screening conifers (see section 1.5) but the majority of the hedging comprises native trees and provides a habitat for wildlife.
58 Somerset Close represents the only development of housing that is accessed from Wickwar Road.
There are 39 houses in total. The estate has pavements and one area of traffic calming. The gardens are unfenced and open to the pavement. The houses have paved drives and garages. The width of the driveways and associated dropped kerbs, combined with the close spacing between properties, results in relatively limited locations for on-street parking. The gardens at the front are laid to lawn and there are mature shrubs, all houses have a reasonable sized garden at the rear. Only the first houses on the road have chimneys, properties built subsequently have internal flues. Solar panels have been installed retrospectively on the south-facing roof elevations of some properties.
II. Nature of Buildings: There is a wide range of property types and architectural designs, mostly dating from the 20th century.
With the exception of a small red-brick terrace and the four pairs of semi-detached houses built by the local council in 1927, properties in Wickwar Road were largely designed and built on an individual basis. Most properties were initially intended to be surrounded on all sides by large areas put down to gardens, but this character has been lost, to a considerable extent, due to infill development of later properties and/or substantial extensions to existing properties.
Wickwar Road provides the majority of bungalows to be found in the village.
As the residential properties on Wickwar Road were not designed as part of a development there is a wide range of building types and materials, and the resulting buildings include a number of substantial, individual properties.
59
Fairview, formerly of Fairview Farm, is a substantial white rendered house, one of the very few built before the 20th century, in this case early in the 1800s. A stone-built barn converted to a residence, Cloverlea Barn, along with its small-holding, is accessed by an adjacent track off Wickwar Road.
Nearby, Westfield House is an example of the substantial, individual properties developed towards the end of the 20th century.
60 Whereas this property has a facade of mixed materials, many of the most recent developments have favoured the use of reconstituted stone blocks.
Lower Trench House is a rare example of a house built in natural stone.
White rendering is favoured in many of the older properties, in this case also showing a sympathetic modern extension to the cottage at the far end of the terrace. The windows and roof line are in keeping with the original building.
The four pairs of semi-detached inter-war council houses were by the built local council in 1927. These were originally built to meet a chronic housing shortage, having a large garden to enable the occupiers to grow their own food. They are white-rendered and in most cases have undergone extensions or have had garages or sheds built on the surrounding land, that was once garden.
61
The red-brick terrace that formerly housed the ironmongery and hardware business of T. J. Hignell and sons retains some stylish features, including the tile-brick decorations around doorways and bay windows and the stained glass panels in some of the upper windows. It still houses business premises in the shape of a hairdressing salon. The provision of services is important to the village and this should be retained for business use and not converted to residential.
III. Building Materials: White rendering Local stone Various shades of red brick. The houses in the initial development off Wickwar Road have dark wood window frames, the remainder are white. The window style on Somerset Close is a small-paned Georgian design Chimneys only on the first houses coming on Somerset Close
IV. Distinctive Features: Individually designed and built houses (Wickwar Road) Bungalows Kingswood Village Hall - See community section Kingswood Playing Field - See community section Open, rural aspect affording spectacular views of Cotswold escarpment Fairview House Red-brick terrace Well-maintained operating and converted farmhouses White rendering on houses Working farms Views through to open countryside Haroldsfield Farm, Alderley and Wotton Views through to the older properties on Hillesley Road Open aspect (Somerset Close)
62 Opens gardens (Somerset Close) Green verges ( Somerset Close) Safe environment for children to play (Somerset Close)
4.4 Charfield Road and Tyndale View
I. Related to the very local landscape:
There is a mixture of properties along Charfield Road. Some of the older properties are terraced rendered-brick cottages while others are large detached houses. There are also some c.1970 semi-detached properties.
What is distinctive about the Charfield Road is the mixture of industry and residential property along with open countryside. To one end, at the junction with Wotton Road, there is even a set of multi-sport and tennis courts established on land purchased by the Parish Council and developed through a village community initiative.
Tyndale View is a cul-de-sac of 41 houses built from 2008. It has a more closed-in feel at the entrance as the road is narrow. The first part of this development is a block of flats which forms part of the affordable housing for this development. The first part of the road is of terraced housing. The estate then opens out into a wide grassed area with large detached houses. There is a small Local Area for Play (LAP) and an area left as grass meadow. This
63 area joins on to the new community areas that form part of the new Chestnut Park Estate. There is a footpath which joins this estate to Chestnut Park.
II. Pattern and shape: Charfield Road (B 4062) extends from the New Mills roundabout junction with New Road (B 4058) near the boundary of the Parish of Kingswood, to the junction with Old Rectory Road (B 4060), effectively forming a cross-roads junction with Wotton Road and Abbey Street. Various traffic controls along the Charfield Road consist of 50mph and 30mph speed restrictions and a traffic calming priority section at the Old Rectory Road end.
Alongside Charfield Road there is little by way of trees and grass in the built settlement area of the village in marked contrast to the open countryside immediately beyond. However a naturalised area of what was once a field boundary has been left in front of the newly developed flats in Tyndale View and will soon be transferred to parish council ownership. This area is a small woodland and home to many birds and wildlife. A footpath, CKD 6, runs from Charfield Road to Monkham Thorns and the Charfield Parish boundary via Elbury Hill.
Charfield Road is a single residential road, Tyndale View, joining it along its length, along with the access to the Abbey Mills industrial site almost opposite Tyndale View.
Charfield Road looking towards the War Memorial and Old Rectory Road. The traffic calming initiative can be seen here
64
Charfield Road looking in the direction of New Mills
Tyndale View is a development of properties to the left hand side of the section of Charfield Road in this picture.
This picture also shows the extent of the pavement on the left hand side when heading out of the village. On the right hand side the pavement stops at the side of the row of terraced cottages. Pedestrians coming from the properties further along on this side of the road have no pavement on either side and must cross the road to get the safety of a pavement, then cross back over if wishing to walk towards Wotton or to get to the school in Abbey Street.
Charfield Road has a very open feel to it when near to the junction with Old Rectory and Wotton Roads because of the landscaped area provided by the Tubbs Turf facilities on one side, the widening of the road at the junction and the distance that the frontage of Boundary House is set back on the other side of the road. The road narrows considerably at the brow of the small incline at the edge of the built settlement and village sign.
65 The entrance to Tyndale View
Tyndale View shown to the North of Charfield Road in this picture
III. Nature of buildings: The Tubbs Turf multisport and tennis facility and associated landscaped gardens, with disabled access, is located between Charfield Road and Wotton Road. This site is bordered by a ragstone wall. Charfield Road as it nears Old Rectory Road has some properties which are located in the Conservation Area. It ends at the cross-roads junction described above with a view of the Village War Memorial directly opposite. See conservation Area Statement
Row of terraced cottages on Charfield Road adjacent to the traffic calming
Terraced properties built 1851 running immediately alongside Charfield Road
66 Properties are a mixture of terraced weaver and mill cottages and rendered properties. There is a more modern brick development of houses and some individual detached houses.
The Abbey Mills estate is set back from the road and comprises of mill buildings used for industrial purposes and modern warehouse type buildings.
Tyndale View is a a mixture of Residential housing, terraced, detached and a block of flats.
IV. Building Material: Render Ragstone Reconstituted stone Render Red brick
V. Distinctive features Mill Buildings Open countryside Tubbs Turf multi sports complex The Road Grass verge and wooded area Limited pavements Grass meadow Play area (Tyndale View) 3 storey town houses (Tyndale View)
An industrial building by the entrance to others
67
Further industrial buildings on the Charfield Road
Open Countryside running along Charfield Road
68 4.5 Wotton Road and Dyehouse Yard
II. Geographical setting: Wotton Road runs due north from its junction at a cross-roads with Old Rectory Road, Charfield Road and Abbey Street. As the name indicates, it is the route to Wotton-under-Edge. It is a vital pedestrian as well as vehicular route into and from the village, in particular because of the presence of Katherine Lady Berkeley’s (KLB) School just beyond the village boundary. The southerly section of Wotton Road lies within the Conservation Area, delineated by its junction with Dye House Yard, and is described in the Conservation Area Statement. Similarly, the southerly side of Dye House Yard itself lies within the Conservation Area. This description deals only with the parts of these roads outwith the Conservation Area
II. Distinctive character
Wotton Road
The most distinctive aspect of the northerly part of Wotton Road derives from the tradition of building cottages fronting immediately onto the highway.
69
The highway crosses the leat that once provided water power to Abbey Mill by a narrow bridge that is possibly medieval. It has only been possible to widen it to a small extent, due to restrictions presented by adjacent houses and the leat itself. There is a narrow pavement on the westerly side of the road (right-hand photograph above) and none on the easterly side (left-hand photograph). The need to provide this pavement for the many pupils walking to KLB has meant that a priority traffic flow operates over and on either side of the bridge. Increased traffic of both pedestrians and vehicles is an issue of concern at this point.
Dye House Yard
This is the lowest point in the village; it is situated between the mill leat and the course of the main river and has suffered from flooding from time to time. There are six properties located here altogether but only one, Aston Cottage, lies outside the Conservation Area on the northerly side.
III. Settlements in their landscape setting
The built environment of the northerly part of Wotton Road is mainly small cottages. As noted above, they nearly all date from periods when it was normal to build close to the road. Nevertheless, the presence of adjacent open spaces along the road means that there is no sense of oppressive enclosure that can occur when such development has occurred on both sides of the road.
The views outwards from Wotton Road are limited, partly because of the buildings being linked and close to the road. Nevertheless there is a pleasing view north to Wotton Hill.
The important visual impact is of looking into the village on approaching it from outside. The town houses of Wotton Road, viewed , across Tubbs Turf, from Charfield Road, present a very fine and coherent entrance to the village. The view of the Old Rectory, coming into Kingswood along Wotton Road is as good or better. The crossroads formed by Wotton Road with Charfield Road, Abbey Street and Old Rectory Road (where the War Memorial is situated) is one of the key nodes that defines the core village (the others being the crossroads at the Chipping and by the Abbey Gatehouse).
70
IV. Nature of building and space
The northerly part of Wotton Road, outside the Conservation Area, largely comprises the cluster of small cottages immediately to the north of the bridge over the mill leat. These have facades of render over local ragstone.
Lying between the junction with Dye House Yard and Vineyard Lane is Kingswood Car Clinic, a thriving car maintenance and repair business that provides a valued service to many car-owners in the community. This is adjoined by a renovated house, Nut Tree House, with a stone facade. The house is immediately to the north of Dye House Yard and backs onto Aston Cottage.
A Georgian-era listed building, Penn House, lies to the north of the junction with Vineyard lane and on the parish boundary with Wotton-under-Edge Parish. Its conversion from a private home formed the initial establishment of Pennwood Lodge, a care home for the elderly.
The stylish facade onto Wotton Road is now largely obscured by trees, probably to provide privacy for residents. The side elevation shows infilled windows, almost certainly for the historical avoidance of window tax.
71 The only building to the northerly side of Dye House Yard, lying outside the Conservation Area, is Aston Cottage. Its garden, extending to the bank of Ozleworth Brook, provides a pleasant vista to the northerly side of the open yard area of Dye House Yard.
Aston Cottage has a double gable end with relatively high roofs for a two-storey building of its period.
The elevations of Aston Cottage are largely in stone but there are interesting red-brick sections which may derive from original walls which have been concealed by extensions or renovations.
V. Building materials
The great majority is render, over local ragstone.
VI. Key features
Former Georgian Town House Important and attractive views on entering the village A key gateway to the village with restricted pedestrian and vehicular access Immediate link to open countryside on the western side
72 4.6 Kingswood Playing Field
I. Related to the very local landscape: The playing field lies on the north-west side of the Wickwar Road and provides a continuation of the green space adjoining Wickwar Road and Chestnut Park. This local amenity area is positioned at the highest ground level within the village and commands the most complete views of the Cotswolds AONB.
It offers important visual amenity. From the North round to the East, there are clear, unobstructed views to Nibley Knoll with the Tyndale (Nibley) Monument; Wotton Hill with the Jubilee Trees (planted to mark Queen Victoria's Jubilee); Cotswold Escarpment and Wotton-under-Edge. More local views to the North East, over two open fields with mature trees and hedgerows, are of the old Chestnut Park local authority estate and the new Taylor Wimpey Chestnut Park estate.
Two of the Village's Listed Buildings are also clearly visible from the Playing Field to the North East: Boundary House and Chestnut Park Farm.
Further views beyond the gardens and the properties in Wickwar Road to the South East and South, take in the Southern Cotswold Escarpment including Somerset Monument (Hawkesbury) and Alderley’s Tower Folly on Winner Hill.
Views to the South West round to the North West are of further open fields, towards Charfield.
The Playing Fields are surrounded on 4 sides by mature hedgerows (ranging in depth from 5-8 feet deep - obviously of some age - multiple species) and trees, plus in excess of 200 new saplings planted under a Woodland Trust initiative.
II. Settlement pattern and shape: The Playing Field has a full-size football pitch with a spectator stand at its north-western end, junior football goal nets and a cricket square in the centre of the field.
73
III. Nature of Buildings and space: The only building on the playing field is the village hall. This comprises a single storey community area with a bar and kitchen, completed in 1975; a high- ceilinged hall with a stage, opened in 1982; and sports changing rooms added later to the north- western end nearest the sports pitches.
The access driveway is between pre-existing properties on the Wickwar Road: a large detached private house with rendered finish to the right-hand side of the entrance and former Local Authority semi-detached properties, also with rendered finish, to the left of the entrance. These properties have rear gardens backing onto and views over, the Playing Field. Various memorial benches are placed around the edge of the field.
To the side of the access driveway there is a children's play area including equipment for very young children and for older children/teenagers. This is served by an adjacent area with seating and tables.
The village hall is at the south-eastern corner of the field at the end of the access driveway. There is parking space for hall-users on two sides.
A Viewing Point with seat (commemorating the Queen's Jubilee in 2012) is positioned to view the Cotswold Escarpment.
IV. Distinctive Features:
Open aspect affording spectacular views of Cotswold Escarpment Natural hedgerow on all sides Brick faced timber framed village hall
74 Sports pitches Play equipment Valued Community space
4.7 Chestnut Park
I. Relates to the very local landscape: The original houses on Chestnut Park were built by the local authority in three stages between 1948 and 1954 in response to a housing shortage after the Second World War.
It was designed as a cul-de-sac and the original houses are all two storey.
The original houses have large gardens; there are now lawns and hedges in most.
Chestnut Park has been substantially expanded through the Taylor Wimpey housing development carried out over 2012-2014 on what was open countryside to its rear. The new houses are of variable design and building materials, comprising a mixture of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom properties over 2 or 3 floors. All 4 and 5 bedroom houses are detached with 1 or 2 garages each. To the far northern corner are 3 x 3 bedroom terraced houses; 2 x 2 bedroom semi-detached houses lie next to these, with a further 3 x terraced 2 bedroom houses and a 3 bedroom end of terrace adjacent.
At the front of Chestnut Park, bordering onto Rectory Road, there is a grassed area. To the south of the road junction with Old Rectory Road this is a wide expanse which formerly provided a
75 children’s play area but now provides a decorative amenity with flower beds, maintained by the Parish Council and flowering cherry trees.
At the northerly end of the estate on Old Rectory Road stand the Public Toilets, which are kept open and serviceable by the Parish Council.
II. Pattern and shape:
III. The houses are set back from the road and the estate has a spacious feel to it.
Open green space in front of Chestnut Park
76 The houses at the front of the estate are set back from Old Rectory Road and separated from it by a green space before another pavement. They are accessed by a paved footpath and have the use of parking areas integral to the overall layout of the original estate.
The above picture which showing the flower beds demonstrates the connection between Chestnut Park and the Chipping in the conservation area.
77
A double row of houses at the rear of the southerly side of the estate are accessed by a paved footpath.
By contrast, there are no pavements in the new development area of Chestnut Park. Front gardens end at the road side to encourage pedestrian right of way, children to play in the streets and a community feel in respect of the open spaces. Gardens have been defined using hedges. Side verges and path edges have been planted with medium size shrubs and flowering hedges. Feature trees are planted at regular intervals.
A footpath leads from Chestnut Park to The Chipping over open fields and, in the other direction, around to Tyndale View.
The settlement pattern of the new development is relatively complicated and warrants a detailed, illustrated description as follows:-
78 On entering the new development (Picture 1) there are 4 houses, 2 x 4 bedroom houses on the left and one 4 bedroom followed by a 5 bedroom on the right.
1.
At the T-junction immediately beyond these houses, the road to the left leads to one 5 bedroom house on the left facing directly onto the road (Picture 2) and one 5 bedroom house lying adjacent to the road.
Beyond this house lies access to a double garage and another 5 bedroom property (Picture 3).
2. 3.
This section of Chestnut Park allows a farmer access to his land between Chestnut Park and the village hall. This section of road also contains a cycle and foot path (Pictures 4 & 5) leading into Tyndale View. The path is divided from the road by a bed containing medium-sized shrubs. A new orchard has been planted between Chestnut Park and open countryside to the South East (Pictures 5&6)
4.
79
5.
Turning right at the T-jun ction (P icture 6 ) C h e s t n u t P a r k s w eeps to the left. A further mixture of 4 and 5 bed-room homes sit on either side of the road (Picture 7).
6. 7.
After the second house there is a left turn with access to a further 2 properties and their garages and original orchard with newly built pond (Picture 8).
8.
80 The road then turns slightly to the right and the 2 and 3 bedroom houses are found here (Picture 9).
9.
81 IV. Nature of buildings and spaces
The original Chestnut Park Estate has a lot of green spaces. The roadway into the estate has a grass verge before the road.
The houses alongside the roadway into the estate have driveways and hedges.
There are pavements all around the original estate and good street lighting throughout. As noted above, the new development has been designed without pavements to create shared access for vehicles and pedestrians.
The large green space which fronts the original houses has flower beds and trees.
There is a concrete bus shelter in front of Chestnut Park on Old Rectory Road. No public bus services use this.
82 V. Building materials
Many of the original houses are built from red brick. When these houses were renovated in the late 1990’s, the first concrete and tile semi-detached houses, which front on to Old Rectory Road were demolished, and new rendered ones built.
The Cornish-style houses, which were of reinforced concrete construction and prone to “concrete cancer”, were renovated in 2000.
Houses in the new development are a mixture of stone (honey-coloured to replicate Cotswold stone), red brick and rendering.
Building materials
Red brick Tiles Render
VI. Distinctive Features
Distinctive red brick housing associated with original local authority housing Cornish-Style Housing Open green space with trees , flower borders and spring planting New housing estate of 27 houses, having a wide variety of styles, built to the rear of the original estate Open Countryside to the south west (although open countryside to the north west of the original estate has been lost to the new development) . “Shared access” roads for both pedestrians and vehicles in new development, to encourage children to play in street
83 4.8 Outlying Settlements of Monkham Thorns, New Mills, Chase Lane and Nind
4.8 a: Nind
Map of Nind showing Link to Kingswood via Hillesley Road and Baldwins Green, The Cemetery, Nind Nature Reserve and the Ash Path
I. Related to the very local community : A small rural hamlet which borders the parishes of Wotton-under-Edge and Alderley. A small residential settlement based immediately on either side of the narrow Nind Lane.
The settlement borders the Ozleworth Brook, a tributary of the Little Avon. Some of the properties have gardens down to the water.
There is a footpath which joins the hamlet to Kingswood via the Ash Path and in the other direction to a Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve.
II. Pattern and shape: The residential properties are based on both sides of the single carriageway lane, as shown in the example below, and many border onto the Ozleworth Brook.
84
The majority of the residential properties are located around a small track leading off Nind Lane, as shown below.
85
Nind Lane links from Hillesley Road in Kingswood to Wortley Road, below Little Tor Hill in Wotton- under-Edge.
III. Nature of buildings and spaces:
There is a working farm, Nind Farm, on the lane and the views are to fields used for agriculture, mainly grazing pasture. The fields are bordered by hedgerows.
86
There is an industrial site owned by Wotton Tarpaving immediately next to Nind Lane, close to its crossing over Ozleworth Brook
The views are out towards Wotton and Alderley and are of an open rural aspect backed by the Cotswold Escarpment.
87
Immediately on the junction of Nind Lane and Hillesley Road is a single residential property and smallholding, “Baldwins Green”.
Close to the junction on the opposite side of Hillesley Road, a public footpath leads towards Upper Barns Farm.
IV. Building Material: Render and reconstituted stone. A relatively high proportion of residential properties have solar panels fitted on their roofs, as shown below.
88
V. Distinctive Features:
The Ozleworth Brook and footpaths alongside.
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve - Both the Nind Nature Reserve and the Ozleworth Brook (from the upstream boundary of the reserve down as far as Kingswood itself) form a Key Wildlife Site due to the water vole population which is legally protected. The Ash Path riverside walk Open public views
89 4.8 b: Monkham Thorns, Charfield borders and New Mills
I. Related to the very local landscape:
The Monkham Thorns settlement runs from the County boundary with South Gloucestershire to The New Mills roundabout and is located either side of the B4058.
New Mills is a small settlement of 4 houses and the head office of the international engineering company Renishaw. New Mills is on the parish border with Wotton-under-Edge as depicted by the blue line on the map.
90
II. Pattern and shape
A small residential settlement and a large, high-technology, industrial site.
A busy winding road linking Wotton with Charfield and the M5, connecting with traffic from Kingswood at a roundabout junction with Charfield Road.
Open green fields to the side of the road.
Extensive view of the Cotswold Escarpment, including Nibley Knoll and Wotton Hill.
91
The Roundhouse near the parish boundary in the foreground.
New Mills is based around a significant S-bend in the road. The residential settlement is on the right, when travelling towards Wotton, with the Renishaw business and industrial site on the left.
Bushford Bridge and the stream mark the parish boundary.
III. Nature of buildings and spaces
The New Mills building is a large red brick mill building set in extensive grounds with ponds.
The grounds have been landscaped with trees and planting and a line of Cedar/Spruce trees border the road. Currently under construction is a large factory building for Renishaw.
92
The residential properties include two semi-detached, rendered cottages set in their own ground. These properties have a substantial wooden railway sleeper fence to protect them from the vehicles on the road.
Alongside these cottages is a track leading to another property, set well off the road, and to the sewage treatment works. This forms a section of the footpath connecting to Wotton Road close to the centre of Kingswood.
There is a large detached property, Bushford Bridge Cottage, which is largely hidden from view by a high fence and conifer screen.
A large roundabout marks the entry road to Renishaw. This is quite urban in its design and has 11 street lamps. The lights are on continually from dusk until dawn giving rise to light pollution.
There is a line of telegraph poles from New Mills crossing the fields to Kingswood.
There is no pavement along the frontage of the Renishaw site, although a public footpath protected from the road by a metal-railing fence runs alongside the road on the grassed area maintained by Renishaw.
93 The Monkham Thorns settlement is a mixture of agricultural, residential, commercial and workshops.
It is rural with a mixture of employment areas and is dominated by the B4058 which is a main commuting route to and from the M5 and leads to Wotton-under-Edge and the village of Kingswood. Traffic on this road has a significant impact on the area.
Monkham Thorns is predominantly agricultural in character and is a mixture of residential and commercial.
The residential settlement is very small consisting of six properties: Grange Farm, Watsome Farm, Lower Barns Farm, Rose Cottage, and two cottages at Monkham Thorns Lane.
The Commercial settlement: Factory Building Renishaw, Offices and Workshops at Watsome Farm.
The facades of the new commercial buildings at Watsome Farm are green metal cladding. The Renishaw factory building is surfaced by grey cladding.
94 Monkham Thorns is affected visually by developments such as the new factory building at Renishaw’s New Mills site within the parish, and the floodlit Wotton Community Sports Foundation’s sports facilities adjacent to Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School (in the parish of Wotton-under-Edge).
The community is a mix of agricultural and residential.
As Monkham Thorns is on the parish border and is much closer to the centre of Charfield Village than Kingswood Village it has a paved footpath leading into Charfield but none through to Kingswood. Although this potentially could result in the community’s having a greater relationship with Charfield Parish than Kingswood, this was not reflected in consultation responses.
IV. Building Material
Residential - render and stone Georgian windows Red brick mill Prefabricated industrial unit
V. Distinctive features:
Mill Building (now a head office) Black metal railings Winding, busy Road Cedar trees bordering the engineering works The roundabout Hedging to one side Substantial railway sleeper fencing to protect housing from vehicles Cedar/spruce trees
95 4.8 c: Chase Lane
I. Related to the very local landscape: This settlement sits on the border with Wickwar and Hawkesbury parishes, coincident with the boundary of South Gloucestershire County. The county boundary is marked by two bridges over a watercourse. It is rural and agricultural with wide-ranging views. Irregular-shaped fields with many footpaths leading from the road.
96 II. Pattern and shape: The settlement is linear along the single track road and comprises a mixture of farms and outlying buildings.
The settlement is bordered by open space in the form of irregular-shaped agricultural fields.
III. Nature of Building and Space: At one end of Chase Lane on the Wickwar border the road is bordered by a stone wall and high banks. The trees provide a leafy canopy in the summer. The road from Wickwar towards Inglestone Common is winding and runs up hill. The road here is often wet and running with water. A bridge over the watercourse marks the parish boundary. There are no long views through the trees and the lane is quite shaded and dark at this point.
Once at the top of the hill, leading away from Wickwar, the road opens out and is bordered by a green verge, hedges and drainage ditches.
Two rows of telegraph poles stretch across the field to Kingswood and Charfield.
On the other side of the road the field slopes down towards ancient woodland nature reserve and an SSI (outside of the parish).
97
The views from here are far-reaching towards Wickwar. Wickwar Church, Charfield, Wotton Hill, the Tyndale Monument at North Nibley and the Somerset Monument at Hawkesbury Upton can all be easily seen.
The county and parish border with Hawkesbury is marked with a bridge and the watercourse.
IV. Building materials: The walls of the houses are mostly rendered. The farm buildings are predominantly stone, with clay tiles. Some modern metal-sheet barns are also in evidence. There is one large stone-built house with two red-brick chimneys and steps up onto the roof with metal railings around. There is also one bungalow.
V. Distinctive features
A mixture of stone and rendered farm buildings with clay tiles.
Stone- built house
98 Far-reaching public views from all sides Canopy of trees Stone walls Watercourse Steep-sided banks Running water Open fields
99 4.9 Special Considerations 4.9.1 Flooding
The extent of waterways and Flood Zones affecting the Parish
100 Waterways and central Flood zone main village
Map of Parish Designations
Kingswood is at risk from flooding from 2 sources from the waterway and from the risk of ground source flooding in relation to the type of soil that Kingswood is built on. The potential from flooding from the second source should not be underestimated. This has the potential to affect many properties in the parish particularly in the winter. The parish council has commissioned drainage surveys at two locations in the village along with a soil analysis see appendix 12.
Flooding from Waterways
The parish has an active team of waterway wardens who monitor and take action to prevent flooding on the waterways. The parish council keeps a stock of sand bags to hand out to vulnerable residents. The main areas of potential flooding are:
101 Nind Lane Vineyard lane New Mills The local authority properties in Vineyard Lane are built to allow the water to pass through below them. The residents have equipment to block up the air bricks and electrical sockets.
Flooding in these areas was extensive in these areas in 2012/13 see pictures below depicting flooding at the outlying settlement of Nind. Vineyard Lane also flooded at this time.
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The waterways need to be managed throughout the area with changes taking in place at areas higher up the stream such as Kilcot and downstream at New Mills having a devastating effect on Kingswood. This is especially true with regard to the management of the weir gates and the opening and closing of them. This needs to be managed and co- ordinated so as not to cause extensive flooding and damage to residents on the waterway in Kingswood. The weir at new Mills is electronic and automated and acts on water pressure and should open and close the weir gates as required, therefore managing the flow of water.
Ground source Flooding
The main settlement of the parish is built on clay which is impermeable to water. The ground is often saturated especially in winter as the water does not drain away. There is evidence of many springs within the parish. Changes in the landscape results in capping of the springs and eventually leads to the springs forming in other locations.
The ditch system within the parish needs to be managed and cleaned regularly of undergrowth. This is to ensure that there is the capacity within the ditch system to accommodate the water that will be standing for most of the winter. Once the ditches get full beyond capacity, flooding on the roads and on the land occurs. The following areas are particularly vulnerable:
Hillesley Road Charfield Road B4058 New Mills B4058 Charfield Borders Nind Vineyard Lane The Playing Field
103 Chestnut Park Wickwar Road This problem has been made worse by ditches at the rear of Chestnut Park being filled in by current landowners when the properties were sold by the local authority into private ownership. The ditches that form part of the field and highway system regularly overflow on to the highways. This is in the main due to lack of maintenance and cleaning of the ditch system by land owners.
Land Drainage
Generally the topography has an overall slope, but at a low angle, dropping away to the north-west. The village lies on clay, which absorbs water but does not let it pass through so it can become saturated, especially where slopes level out. Springs appear over a wide area of the parish. The main drains are inadequate and cannot sustain the amount of water flowing into them with heavy rain.
Septic tanks are found particularly in the outlying hamlets, but also in parts of the village.
Consultation responses indicate that the drainage system is not able to cope, leading to flooding; this may also be due to some deterioration of the drainage system.
4.9.2 Highway Drains Highway drains are full to capacity and frequently over flow especially if they are required to take the excess water flooding from the field ditch system. Currently the drain at Chestnut Park/Rectory Road has been overflowing for the last 4/5 years. This has caused extensive road flooding and flooding to properties on Rectory Road. Highways have carried out surveys and it is due to be repaired in 2014. The drain on the junction to Hillesley Road and Wickwar Road is frequently unable to cope causing extensive flooding and difficulty to pedestrians crossing the road at this point. The drains on Walkmill Lane along its length frequently flood and there is an issue with standing water at the top of this road with the junction with Hillesley Road. The drains on Wickwar Road with the junction of the playing field also seem unable to cope with the quantity of rainwater.
Overflowing drain in Rectory Road
104 Summary
When considering development within the parish the following matters are important to the community. The design of any development should take the following into account.
. Public views into and out of the village towards the Cotswold Escarpment and Tyndale Monument . Preserve and enhance the environment specially hedges and trees . The community areas such as Tubbs Turf and the Playing Field, the importance of the amenity use and the value of the public views to the whole community
. The importance of the history of Kingswood and the need to carry out archaelogical surveys to uncover a potential Roman Villa and the whereabouts of the Abbey ruins . The importance of balancing the needs of modern day living such as the need for a car does not detract from the distinctive historic and rural nature of the parish as defined by the subareas . To ensure the easy access through the parish for all pedestrains with particular consideration to be given to the elderly and disabled . Ageing population . To ensure consideration is given in the design of any devlopment; the risk of ground source flooding. The following are issues within the parish and the design of any devlopments should aim to minimise the impact on the following concerns: . Parking provision is mimimal especially at Chestnut Park, Rectory Road, Walk Mill Lane and Wickwar Road and therefore the provision for new homes should be greater to relieve the issues
. Level of traffic through the village.
. Speed of traffic through the village. . Type of traffic though village such as large buses, commercial vehicles and heavy lorries.
Environmental concerns are important and designs should encompass the following measures on buildings for drainage and reuse of water and environmental concerns:
. Decrease light pollution. . Brown water to be re used. . Bat boxes.
105 5.0 Draft Policies and Guidelines
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT (KNE)
Key objective
The village of Kingswood and the surrounding parish is rural with a distinctive natural environment which abuts the Cotswold AONB, and from which Kingswood gains, and adds to the distinctive character (see Section 2.1 and Kingswood Environmental Character Assessment within the Supplementary Information Document for this VDS). This naturally distinctive character varies more in certain subareas and these micro- landscapes particularly need to be conserved. Issues The views out toward the Cotswold Hills and the Vale are important locally, as is the view of Kingswood from the Hills and inappropriate development would have an impact in both directions which would diminish the rural landscape.
At a subarea level (Section 4) Nind has status and a mature biodiversity and shape which is very distinctive and related strongly to the clay and water bodies. New Mills is a possible new Key Wildlife Site currently under consideration by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust; this gives particular sensitivity to change.
The flooding regime also needs to be considered (see Section 4.6)
Within the parish the following are of great value, so mitigation is of great importance
• open green spaces within the village and gaps where the views can be seen between buildings (see Photos) • remaining orchards (See Map 8, Kingswood Environmental Character Assessment, (see Kingswood Village Design Statement Supplementary Information) • boundaries and ways between houses which are hedges/paths providing wildlife corridors •
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT Guidelines, justification and reference to policies
Guideline Evidence/Justification Policy/Reference KNE1 The high quality views from the AONB, Protecting and enhancing NPPF 109,115 which give it its character along the valued landscapes SDLP NE8 escarpment edge, should be conserved. SO6 Any new development should include Conserving landscape and Stroud District sympathetic design and landscaping to scenic beauty in AONB. Landscape mitigate the visual impact to views from Assessment, 2000 the Cotswold AONB and blend with the See Kingswood Environmental distinctive character of the existing Character Assessment (within settlement and landscape. Supplementary Information Document)
106 KNE2 Views from the village centre to the Protecting and enhancing NPPF 109 escarpment and surrounding landscapes valued landscapes SDLP NE8 should be maintained to preserve the SO6, ES6-9 unique character of the settlement in its See Kingswood Environmental Stroud District setting. Character Assessment, Landscape Wotton Hill, Tyndale Monument, and open Appendix 2 for locations of Assessment, 2000 views of Kingswood Vale should be important views. conserved when viewed from public areas in the village centre, village hall and playing See photo album, VDS and fields, Charfield Road, Wotton Road, Kingswood Environmental Hillesley Road and Wickwar Road. Views Character Assessment within should also be conserved from public Supplementary Information footpaths including the Ash Path and from Document for important public New Mills and Nind. views.
KNE3 Important habitats must be conserved and Landscape scale features must NPPF 109,117 enhancement opportunities should be be protected for their SDLP NE3, NE5, NE6, sought: importance in the countywide NE7, NE11, NE12, RL4, strategy to create ecological RL5 1. Rivers, streams, brooks (Strategic networks and provide ES4, ES6-9, Nature Areas) ecosystem services for the especiallyES7 future. Stroud District 2. Nind Key Wildlife Site Landscape Key Wildlife Sites (KWSs) are Assessment, 2000 3. New Mills Unconfirmed Wildlife specifically recognised to enable NERC Act Section 41 site protection through the planning England system as they receive no legal Biodiversity/English 4. Priority Habitats: protection. List Gloucestershire • Arable field margin Priority Habitats provide Nature Map Initiative • Hedgerow historical, distinct, diverse and of Gloucestershire characteristic landscape LNP. Gloucestershire • Traditional Orchards features. Conserving them Priority Habitat List, • Wet Woodland minimises biodiversity impacts 2008 • Lowland Mixed Deciduous and provides net gains in Woodland biodiversity. Water Frame Directive • Ponds • Rivers Ensure no further deterioration of aquatic ecosystems.
KNE4 Any development in the more rural, The patchwork quality of the NPPF 109, 114, 117 patchwork, agricultural landscape would landscape, hedgerows and SDLP NE5, NE10 need to respect and fit in with that agriculture around and between ES 6-9 distinctive character and conserve the settlements, which is valued by Stroud District green elements of the landscape habitat local people, is to be Landscape Character within the design. maintained, conserving a Assessment 2000 natural buffer around priority Gloucestershire habitats and between Landscape Assessment settlements. 2006
107
To maintain wildlife corridors A Strategic Framework for Green To conserve green Infrastructure in infrastructure Gloucestershire 2014
To protect valued landscapes and minimise impacts on biodiversity
KNE5 Where opportunities arise, Re-establishment of this NPPF 109, 114, 117, maintenance/enhancement of existing regionally characteristic feature. 118 orchards and creation of new orchards will Protecting and enhancing SDLP NE6, NE11 be encouraged. valued landscapes. ES8 Preservation, restoration and Stroud District re-creation of Landscape Gloucestershire/UK priority Assessment, 2000 habitat. A Strategic Framework Loss of aged trees. for Green Creation of Green Infrastructure in Infrastructure. Gloucestershire 2014
KNE6 Any development should note and These plans are being prepared NPPF 109,117 incorporate the good practice in by the local community /Parish SDLP NE5,NE6,NE7, Kingswood’s Habitat Management for Council with guidance from NE11,NE12,RL4, RL5 Wildlife. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. ES3
Minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity
Mitigating ecological harm associated with development KNE7 The following must be considered where Protecting and enhancing NPPF109 there is a need to provide drainage as flood valued landscapes. mitigation: SDLP GE4,NE5,NE6, Techniques should reduce flood NE7 • Manage and maintain ditches, risk by attenuating the rate and • SUDS, and/or other mitigation quantity of surface water run- CP14 should be undertaken to mitigate off, promoting groundwater impact on any existing or new recharge and improving water PPS 1 PPS 25 development quality. Above ground • Sustainable drainage techniques to attenuation offers, biodiversity Environment Agency include the following; soakaways, and amenity benefits while policy and Flood Risk infiltration trenches, permeable culverts have detrimental Objective 3 of the pavements, green roofs, grassed effects including potential to Stroud District Council swales, ponds and wetlands. become blocked and difficulty SFRA • Include above-ground attenuation of maintenance/repair. systems, such as balancing ponds and swales in preference to below ground attenuation.
108 • Ensure ordinary watercourses remain open and are not culverted and that existing culverts are not built over. KNE8 Foul sewerage disposal must use the first Protecting and enhancing NPPF109, 120 feasible method in the following list: valued landscapes. • Mains sewerage SDLP GE2,NE7, • A package sewerage treatment Protecting water quality and plant incorporating a combination preventing pollution PPS 1 PPS 25 of treatment processes • Septic tanks
KNE9 Features must be incorporated into Mitigation for development NPPF109, 117, 118 development schemes to reduce protected affecting legally protected species fatalities associated with roads, species. SDLP NE4 drainage and other new infrastructure where fatalities/injuries are a risk. Minimising impacts on ES6 Measures such as offset gully pots and biodiversity underpasses for wildlife should be encouraged. Recovery of protected species populations
BUILT ENVIRONMENT (KBE)
Key objective
To assist in helping any future development in the parish of Kingswood enhance the locality and contribute positively to the distinctive, rural character and heritage. This rural character of Kingswood is valued by residents who feel it makes the settlement such a good place to live and work in (See response to consultation events).
Future developments to reflect the scale and identity of the parish and its subareas as identified in the Village Design Statement (and Conservation Area Statement, as appropriate). It must also pay attention to the public views in and out of the parish. (For building materials see KBM later).
Any development should enhance this inclusive community, be of high quality design, and take into consideration environmental aspects such as the natural environment of note; including valued green spaces, cycle/foot paths and energy efficiency.
It is essential that consideration is given to the principles and practices of designing out crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour (ASB) and community conflict within the built environment as laid out in the crime and Disorder Act (1998) Section 17.
109 However the inclusion of innovative designs and materials may be incorporated to keep up with evolving trends and policies to provide sustainable, ecological and carbon neutral homes in line with the Stroud District Council Environment Strategy 2007-2027 http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/environment/environment.asp#s=sectioncontent6&p=carbon
Issue
Kingswood is rural, varying within the parish from the village to differing subareas such as the outlying settlement of Nind and the scattered surrounding farms. As more people have come into the parish in various developments, to live in a rural parish, so the impact of development has been to alter the balance of that rural-ness. Yet this distinctive character remains, and is valued by all. (See response to consultation events)
There are still local needs to address, and a desire to keep the vitality of the village as well as the distinctive character of that, and the parish as a whole. Recent developments have brought a different look and impact on this settlement. This Design Statement sets out the distinctive character so that any future development can take it into consideration.
The Conservation Area is a key focal point but has issues relating to modern use, especially by cars, in an area built prior to the car’s existence. Getting the right balance here is essential to manage the balance of modern life and preserving the historic character.
Guidelines, justification and reference to policies
Guideline Evidence/Justification Policy/Reference
KBE1 Any new development should be of In order to maintain the NPPF 58,59,60,64 appropriate design and scale for characteristic rural and 109 Kingswood and to reflect the Character agricultural character of the area. Areas in that location. The design of any SDLP HN8;RL5 new development should help to address HC1 the needs of the community. Stroud District Landscape Assessment
KBE2 Development should reflect, conserve See section 4.0 Key Design HN8 HC1 and enhance the distinctive architectural Characteristics of subareas NPPF 58,59,60,64 styles of existing buildings in Character within the parish. Code for Sustainable Area, and adjacent properties. Homes Level 3
For any new development, or Conservation Area See Conservation Area improvements in the Conservation Statement Area, please also see specific Statement guidelines in the Conservation Area Conservation Area Statement as well as these for the Statement parish as a whole. BE4,BE5,BE6,BE7,BE9, BE10,BE11,BE12
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KBE2a For any new development, or improvements in the Conservation Area, please also see specific guidelines in the Conservation Area Statement as well as these for the parish as a whole.
KBE3 The design of any development should See Conservation Area PPS5 Historic not make changes capable of adversely Statement Environment Planning affecting the significance of a heritage Practice Guide asset or people’s experience of such a NPPF 58,59,60,64 heritage asset, particularly in and around Conservation Area Kingswood’s Conservation Area. Statement.
BE4,BE5,BE6,BE9,BE10 BE11,BE12
CP8 including
HC1,HC3,HC5,HC6and HC8
KBE4 Where any new 3 Storey properties are To fit with distinctive character Conservation Area proposed, especially in the Conservation of subareas. Statement Area, they should reflect the terraced 3 BE5 storey mill cottages which are in the
parish and not an urban design such as a Townhouse .
KBE5 Gardens and green infrastructure can Developments should facilitate NPPF 117 play a role in supporting wildlife in wildlife movement and strongly association with built environments and support habitat connectivity, SDLP RL5 should be incorporated wherever particularly in regard to priority ES6-8 possible, and to harmonise with the habitats. Well planned Character Areas and adjacent properties landscaping can also provide and conserve connectivity for The following represents significant green wildlife with the wider infrastructure within Kingswood landscape. The Chipping & Land between Chestnut
Park and Old Rectory Road.
• Land between Tyndale View and Charfield Road, • Traditional Village Centre and focal point.
111 • Playing fields • Ash Path & buffer • Community Orchard • Allotment area • Wild Life (Great Crested Newt area)
KBE6 The design of any development should CHP important due to the include features that seek to reduce the pressure on the exiting carbon footprint of the development and electricity capacity for the the day-to-day energy requirements of parish. the residents. Potential features which such a development should be providing include: Discussed and agreed with SDC land Drainage Officer • Solar roof panels • Air or ground source heat pumps • Rainwater harvesting systems • Combined heat and power system (CHP)
KBE7 Sympathetic conversion of farm and SDLP HN16, BE17 other buildings should be encouraged both to maintain focal points in the CP11, CP14,CP15 landscape and to preserve historical properties.
Proportions of windows, doors & Stroud District roofline should be reflected in any new Landscape Assessment design.
CONSERVATION AREA (KCA)
Key objectives
To prevent the destruction of the inherent character of the area through neglect or indifference and to ensure that any redevelopment or alterations do not detract from its appearance.
To ensure that any new development is designed not as a separate entity but as a part of the Conservation Area in sympathy with and enhancing its character.
To heighten where possible and desirable, the character of the area by improvement and emphasis of the features of merit.
To protect the significant views through the Conservation Area.
To encourage the removal or lessen the impact of eyesores within the area which at present detract from its character.
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ISSSUE The Conservation Area lies at the heart of the built settlement and contributes strongly to the distinctive character of Kingswood. Many well-frequented public and religious buildings lie within its boundaries leading to heightened issues in relation to modern use and infrastructure, most notably concerning the use and parking of cars in an area built prior to the car’s existence. Getting the right balance here is essential to support the needs of modern life while conserving the distinctive, historic character.
Guidelines, justification and reference to policies
Guideline Evidence/Justification Policy/Reference
KCA1 Any new buildings or infilling should be in NPPF 58,59,60,64 sympathy with the character of the area, and should reflect this through appropriate siting, form, height (number of storeys), design, scale and materials. Maintaining the building line fronting onto a road or footpath is particularly important. This does not mean that old styles must be copied or that new materials should not be used, but that any new development should reflect and continue the existing character of the area. KCA2 The replacement of buildings in the NPPF 58,59,60,64 Conservation Area will only be permitted if it cannot be converted for a suitable alternative use. In particular if they are of individual merit or part of an important group. KCA3 When considering proposals for development in the Conservation Area, particular attention should be given to the amount and type of vehicular traffic which that use generates to ensure that it does not exacerbate the current problems. Industrial development and other inappropriate uses should be precluded. Any uses which generate unreasonable noise, nuisance or untidiness should be precluded and any existing uses of this nature should not normally be allowed to expand. KCA4 The contribution made to the Conservation
Area by private gardens should be protected by control of development.
113 KCA5 Open areas and significant natural features forming an essential part of the character of the Conservation Area should not be subject to development. KCA6 Advertisements, signs and notice boards should only be permitted if they are considered to be essential and are well- sited and designed to harmonise within the area generally. KCA7 In order to protect the Abbey Gateway and its setting, no significant changes should take place in High Street, Abbey Street and The Walk. These three roads make up the prime part of the Conservation Area. In particular no development should take place which would be to the detriment of established views of the Abbey Gateway and the Parish Church. KCA8 Extensions should only be made to existing buildings when demonstrated to be absolutely necessary (e.g. for domestic care arrangements), suitably located (typically to the rear of properties) and of good design. KCA9 The walls defining a) the High Street, b) the southern side of Golden Lane, and c) the eastern side of Old Rectory Road are very important to the distinctive character and should not be demolished, breached or altered in any way. All repairs and restorations should be carried out in matching brick or stone and to a suitable form. KCA10 The comprehensive footpath system traversing the Conservation Area should be maintained and improved where possible.
KCA11 Subject to practicability and financial provision, the overhead wirescape in the Conservation Area should be removed and replaced by buried transmission cables.
COMMUNITY and FACILITIES (KCF)
Key Objectives
The historical and archaeological value of Kingswood is central to the distinctive character and to the cohesive nature of that community. The settlement may have limited services, but people care
114 about the place and their neighbours. This self-sufficiency – apart from employment- is what makes people feel part of the place, and what they want retained or enhanced
Issues
With recent development, the parish has extended its community facilities, particularly green spaces for increased leisure activities: recreational land; planned allotments and community orchard. These add to the existing green space at the playing field and The Chipping. Further development in the parish will mean increased roll for Kingswood Primary School, yet it is an important building in the Conservation Area, where there is no space to extend further.( At some point, there will be a need for a new school.) As and when that happens, the existing building must be treated with great care in its redesign – see also Conservation area Statement.
The Chipping is focus for services, but given its road layout and green areas, it is also the heart of the community. As part of the Conservation Area, it is a vital area, where any surrounding new development is likely to impact, especially with regard to parking, it is also a very sensitive micro- landscape.
One of the key aspects in the settlement, and not just in the Conservation Area, is the Abbey. The exact position of the Abbey is not known, and wherever development occurs it is vital that archaeological surveys are undertaken, in accord with Gloucestershire Archaeology and local people to ascertain the archaeological record in those positions. One might reveal the original Abbey location, but such recording will give extra information toward that end.
Recent excavations have already uncovered other significant finds.
Guideline Evidence/Justification Policy/Reference
KCF1 Prior to any new development, applicants should be encouraged to partake in the Stroud pre-application protocol and discuss community priorities with the Parish Council.
KCF2 Any new development to recognise the The Abbey Gateways and Refer to need to consider an environmental and important Roman finds at CHP Gloucestershire archaeological assessment. This could be County Archaeology inside and outside the Conservation Area, with reference to the potential of finding the Kingswood Abbey site and Roman settlements.
KCF3 The design of any new development should Consideration to use of take into account its character and setting. community space and the Any new developments to aim to enhance importance of public views to the community enjoyment of the land. the community.
Consultation events.
115 KCF4 Existing allotments and land already Protection of allotment land SDLP RL9 designated for this purpose must be protected or converted to another form of green infrastructure/community use if there is a significant surplus of allotment space.
KCF5 Where opportunities arise through Protection of allotment land SDLP RL9 CIL/Section 106/private agreements and there is local demand, further allotment provision should be considered through discussion with the Parish Council and the community.
KCF6 Where opportunities arise, Protecting and enhancing NPPF 109, 117, 118 maintenance/enhancement of existing valued landscapes orchards and creation of new orchards SDLP NE6, NE11 Preservation, restoration and should be encouraged to re-establish this Stroud District re-creation of priority habitat regionally characteristic feature and Landscape Gloucestershire/UK priority habitat. Loss of aged trees Assessment, 2000
BUILDING MATERIALS (KBM)
Key objective
To ensure any future development in and about the parish of Kingswood enhances the locality and contributes positively to the distinctive character and heritage. Future developments must reflect the identity of local and surrounding materials as identified in the Village Design Statement.
However the inclusion of innovative designs and materials may be incorporated to keep up with evolving trends and policies to provide sustainable, ecological and carbon neutral homes in line with the Stroud District Council Environment Strategy 2007-2027 http://www.stroud.gov.uk/docs/environment/environment.asp#s=sectioncontent6&p=carbon
Any developments should promote an inclusive community, be of high quality design, and take into consideration environmental aspects such as valued green spaces, cycle/foot paths and energy efficiency.
It is essential that consideration is given to the principles and practices of designing out crime, disorder and antisocial behaviour(ASB) and community conflict within the built environment as laid out in the crime and Disorder Act (1998) Section 17.
Issue
In recent years there has been a diversity of building styles and alterations throughout the Parish with little consideration to the appropriateness of the rural setting and local character of the subarea.
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Guidelines, justification and reference to policies
Guideline Evidence/Justification Policy/Reference
KBM1 Appropriate materials, textures and colours should be used to blend with existing buildings and to enhance the distinctive character of the settlement. KBM2 Bricks, render and the local ragstone are the main materials used to reflect the distinctive character in different subareas of the parish. New development should aim to use similar materials to enhance the character of the very local settlement.
KBM3 Roofing materials vary according to subarea (and within the Conservation Area in particular). Materials, textures and colours should be used to blend in with existing buildings/roof scapes.
KBM4 Dropped kerbs and tactile paving to be used to ensure all pedestrian have easy access to cross roads.
KBM5 Low level lighting on a Passive Infrared Kingswood Environmental (PIR) system to be used but good visibility Character Assessment. Dark skies to be maintained are an important part of the Lighting should be on a timer and only on parish. See consultation when required. comments.
Crime and Disorder Act (1998) Section 17
ROADS AND PATHS (KRP)
Key Objective
To improve the highways provision and to lessen the impact on the rural character and quality of life of the local community by the traffic that travels through the parish.
To improve the provision provided for the pedestrian and to improve the safety of all members of the community especially children, the elderly and the disabled.
To improve the parking provision within the parish particularly in the central village and the conservation area.
117 Issue
Traffic speeds and parking issues are already a major part of Kingswood’s Parish Council work. It is critical to mitigate the impact which would arise from further development by careful consideration to the design of any development, especially at key nodes.
Speeding traffic on the B4058, B4060 Wotton Road, Charfield Road, Wickwar Road, Hillesley Road.
Lack of parking provisions within the parish
It is vital that Gloucestershire Highways and the Parish Council are consulted on the design of those key junctions to ensure that the design of any new development does not worsen the existing situation.
Vehicles causing an obstruction to pedestrians when parked on the pavement due to lack of parking within the main village. Pedestrians forced to walk in the road in conflict with speeding traffic. Especially an issue to children the elderly and the disabled
Guidelines, justification and reference to policies
Guideline Evidence/Justification Policy/Reference
KRP1 The design of new development should Consulted with Local Plan policies TR1 provide access to a wide variety of transport. Gloucestershire Highway and TR2. Policy TR1 The design should encourage cycling and officer 4/08/14 walking. The design of the development to Home Zone, TR6 take into account the needs of both the cyclist and the pedestrian and to ensure safe access. KRP2 The design of any new development should Kingswood Parish Plan 2010 include ways to manage traffic speed throughout the layout and design. Crime and Disorder Act (1998) Section 17
KRP3 The design of any new development should Kingswood Parish Plan 2010 ensure adequate parking and not have a negative impact on adjacent access roads Crime and Disorder Act spoiling the rural and historic quality of the (1998) Section 17 settlement. The design of parking provision on any new Kingswood Parish Plan 2010 development to take into account the reliance KRP4 on vehicles within the parish. Due to lack of public transport and jobs being distant from place of residents.
KRP5 To maintain the rural character of the parish the inclusion of Highways and traffic management plans should be critical aspects of the design of any development which might increase traffic especially HGVs throughout
118 the parish.
KRP6 Urbanising features such as kerbstones, road markings & other street furniture should be kept to a minimum & be sensitive to their specific location. KRP7 Road shape and size should be in keeping with the rural nature of the parish.
KRP8 To maintain and enhance the rural nature of Maintaining Public Rights of NPPF 75 the parish footpaths for the whole community Way and access for all access to green areas and natural SDLP RL6 environments should be maintained and SO1 improved to be more accessible to wheelchair/pushchair/bike/bridle routes stiles to be replaced where possible with gates
EMPLOYMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE (KEI)
Key objective
To protect existing employment within the parish thus maintaining the economic sustainability of the parish.
Issue
To balance the needs of employment with the needs of the natural and rural environment . To take into account the general effectiveness, of the infrastructure, including road safety.
Guidelines, justification and reference to policies
Guideline Evidence/Justification Policy/Reference
KE1 The effects on the existing infrastructure See consultation responses. should be considered when considering any upgrades to employment sites. In particular the increase of vehicle movements and the provision of traffic calming and parking.
119 Bibliography
British Listed Buildings accessed online July 2014 http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/england/gloucestershire/kingswood
Gloucestershire Centre for Environmental Records, Gloucestershire Key Wildlife Sites Handbook Part 1 v3.1 final, September 2010
Gloucestershire LNP, A Strategic Framework for Green Infrastructure in Gloucestershire 2014 http://gloucestershirebiodiversity.net/publications/index.php
Gloucestershire LNP, Biodiversity Gloucestershire Website accessed on 24 July 2014 http://www.gloucestershirebiodiversity.net/actionplan/nature-map.php
Gloucestershire LNP, Priority Habitat List for Gloucestershire, 2008 Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust website accessed on 22 February 2014a http://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/reserves/nind
Water Framework Directive, Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/water-framework/index_en.html
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, Section 41 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/16/section/41
Kingswood Village Association (KVA) accessed on line July 2014 www.k-v-a.org
Kingswood Village Cricket Club (KVCC) accessed online July 2014 www.kvcc.btck.co.uk/Gallery/2014Tour
Kingswood Football Club (KFC) accessed online July 2014 www.clubwebsite.co.uk/kingswoodafc/News
Kingswood Village Hall (KVH) accessed online July 2014 www.k-v-h.org
LDA Design, Gloucestershire Landscape Character Assessment, January 2006
St Marys Tour of the Church available from St Mary’s Kingswood (see Audit Trail)
Stroud District Council, Stroud District Landscape Assessment, Supplementary Planning Guidance, November 2000
Tubbs Turf accessed online July 2014 www.tubbsturf.co.uk
120